Botswana and Zambia
Into the African Wild
July 24 to August 12, 2013

| At a Glance | Itinerary | Costs | Sign-up | Other Details |

Seek out amazing wildlife in Moremi, Savuti, and Chobe National Parks in Botswana, and South Luangwa in Zambia. Our amazing guides, Grant Reed in Botswana and Edward Selfe in Zambia, both experts on Southern African mammals, birds, and reptiles, know where to find Leopards and other cats. In Moremi, take a boat trip along the famous Okavango Delta. Cross the border into Zambia to see spectacular Victoria Falls beside Livingstone. Travel to Mfuwe in South Luangwa National Park – Zambia's best game area. Night drives are allowed! Each safari member will have a window seat in a spacious stretch Landcruiser. Experience "semi-luxurious" mobile camping in Botswana, a luxurious lodge close to Victoria Falls, then four nights in luxury ensuite safari tents overlooking the Luangwa River in Zambia. Grant and Edward are professional, fun leaders who know how to make your safari the best.

At a Glance

Cost: $9,100 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare. Review cost details.

Leaders: Grant Reed, in Botswana and at Victoria Falls and Edward Selfe in South Luangwa, Zambia.

Group Size: 7 participants, not including leaders.

Number of Days: 20, including estimated travel time.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field. This safari includes staying in mobile camps.

Itinerary Updated: April 2013.

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

July 24 - 25, Wednesday - Thursday International Flights to Johannesburg
These will likely be travel days from your home airport to arrive in Johannesburg for the morning flight to Botswana on July 26. Review our flight details. We are happy to assist you with any extra overnights that you might need. We recommend the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, conveniently located near the airport.
Lodging: On your own

African Wild Dog

July 26, Friday Fly to Maun then drive to Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta
In the morning, our group will take the South African Airways flight from Johannesburg to Maun. Grant Reed will meet you at the airport in Maun when it arrives. We will then drive the 140 km from Maun to Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. Throughout the safari we will be searching for wildlife, including Wild Dogs hunting their favorite prey and the big cats, Leopards and Lions. The dominant tree in the wooded areas, Mopane (pronounced Mo-pa-ni), grows in dense stands and provides a safe refuge for large, rare, and timid antelopes, especially Greater Kudu. Every type of "mopane habitat" (compact woods or bush, not open grassland) is encountered on this drive, from the towering cathedral woodlands called "Xakanaxa" to the classic climax mopane woodland and, in the drier and harsher habitats, extensive stretches of scrub mopane. The San-ta-Wani region has scattered ephemeral water pans with large floodplains and camel-thorn woodlands.

The last 40 km to our campsite at Xakanaxa in the Moremi Game Reserve, where we can expect to see big ruminants. Some of the less common ruminants, such as Tsesebe (also known as Topi in East Africa), Blue Wildebeest, Greater Kudu, Common Duiker and Botswana's smallest antelope, the Steenbuck, do very well in Moremi. Of course, we'll be looking for Lion and Wild Dog (Painted Wolves) today. It will be a good day for raptors with African Hawk-Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Shikra, Little Sparrowhawk, Dark Chanting Goshawk and Tawny Eagle all inhabiting the mopane and adjacent woodlands. Most of Botswana's hornbills including Red-billed, Southern Yellow-billed, African Grey, Bradfield's and Southern Ground Hornbill are all possible to see in one day at Moremi, as well as a large number of brood-parasites, including cuckoos, Shaft-tailed, Pin-tailed and Eastern Paradise whydah, and Greater and Lesser honeyguide.

On safari in Botswana, the best action and beautiful light is early in the morning. After morning game drives, enjoy a delicious lunch followed by a break and possible walk in the camp vicinity. Botswana is built on sand and its soil is the result of thousands of years of termites at work turning wood into soil. On walks it is very interesting to see all the tracks left in the sand by many species. We'll have both an afternoon game drive to be in the field for the best afternoon light, as well as the magic hour of dusk to dark when the nocturnal animals become active. We will stay at the Xakanaxa site in the Moremi Game Reserve for three nights. Read more about our deluxe mobile camping.
Camping: Xakanaxa site in Moremi Game Reserve

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July 27 - 28, Saturday - Sunday Xakanaxa area of Moremi Game Reserve
Set aside in 1963 by the Batawana tribe, Moremi is one of Africa's most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries. Moremi lies on the eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta. There are many types of habitats here including wide-open floodplains, marshes, ox-bow lakes, riverine forest, lagoons, papyrus-fringed channels, vast reed-beds of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodlands, and savannah. The variety of habitats of the Okavango makes it a truly wonderful area and all the major habitats and ecotones of the Okavango are preserved here. As a result of the extremely variable habitat, the diversity of both mammals and birds is excellent. Moremi is among the best game reserves in Africa for viewing the endangered African Wild Dog, especially around Xakanaxa, which is also home to a resident herd of several hundred Cape Buffalo. Their range covers the territories of at least four prides of Lion, which may often be seen flanking the ever-moving herd. Breeding herds of African Elephant move between their browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh water of the Okavango. Red Lechwe, one of the more unusual antelope species, is commonly found here, while the rare Sitatunga, an amazing aquatic antelope, may be spotted from a motor boat along the waterways, where we plan to travel.

Wattled Crane

The birding is tops for aquatic birds and raptors along the waterways. The swampy areas of Xakanaxa are home to African Rail, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Red-chested Flufftail, African Crake, Black Crake, Chirping and Luapula cisticolas, Purple Swamphen, and Allen's Gallinule, to name a few of the rare ones. The open waters attract African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Intermediate Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, as well as the globally threatened Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane. While we are in the delta, Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, and other rare birds will be challenges to find and both Kurrichane Thrush and Heuglin's Robin will keep us entertained with their beautiful songs.

Botswana is a land of sand, which would be desert here, except that the water from the highlands of Angola flowing into the delta turns it into a wetland paradise located within the arid Kalahari sands. It rests between shallow fault lines at the end of the Great African Rift Valley. Deserts are low on rainfall, as is Botswana, however, each year floodwater flows into the Okavango Delta from its source in the moist central African highlands over 1,000 km away. These floodwaters flow from their cachement southwards and into the Kalahari Desert to create a unique wetland that supports and sustains a huge diversity of wildlife. The Okavango is spread throughout an area of some 16,000 square km. At full flood, the delta is an area of lily-covered lagoons and narrow channels hemmed in by papyrus reeds. The best time to visit this beautiful area is anytime from May to October when the Okavango River floods the delta. The edges of the delta are the best for game viewing, where mammals congregate on the patches of high ground. Since roads in Botswana are built on sand, some can be very dusty, but on game drives we'll go very slowly.
Camping: Xakanaxa site in Moremi Game Reserve

Lion Cub

July 29 - 30, Monday - Tuesday Khwai in the North Gate area of Moremi Game Reserve
The Khwai area is the North Gate region of Moremi in the heart of the Okavango. The well water in Moremi is extremely pure coming from the plentiful springs of the delta. We'll travel 60 km to the Manuchira Channel, also known as the Khwai River at its eastern most extremity. The day's journey follows this watercourse with the track weaving from the riverside and floodplains into the mopane veld and the woodlands that make Khwai one of the most scenic areas of the Okavango. We pass the magnificent Dombo Hippo Pools in the morning, stopping to enjoy the scenery and the antics of the resident Hippo. The western mopane veld is home to breeding herds of elephant primarily, while the eastern reaches of Khwai is home to some impressive old bulls. The mature bulls revel in the cool waters of the Khwai and are far more approachable while drinking and bathing than elephants in breeding herds. The river has an unusually high density of Hippo, as well as some huge crocodiles. We hope to encounter all four species of cats – Leopard, Cheetah, Serval, and Lion – along this route. Both Xakanaxa and Khwai are included in the home ranges of two different packs of Wild Dog. Outstanding ruminants include the Southern Giraffe (a beautiful race of giraffe), as well as Burchell's Zebra, Tessebe, and Red Lechwe, with Roan and Sable Antelopes being less common residents. In the mopane woodlands, African Hawk-Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Little Sparrowhawk, African Harrier Hawk, and Shikra are common raptors. Mixed bird parties move through the canopy and include Red-headed Weaver, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Neddicky, Yellow-breasted Apalis, and Chin-spot Batis, to name but a few. The green edges of the swamp form breeding grounds for the Rosy-throated Longclaw and Long-legged Bustard. We'll have two nights at our Khwai campsite.

Wild Dogs are becoming very rare and both Moremi and Chobe are reserves where we have a reasonable chance of observing this highly social predator with two packs residing near the Khwai River area and Xakanaxa. Lion, Leopard, Serval, and African Wildcat are well-known predators of the region with Cheetah being much less common. The swampy areas in the west are home to Red Lechwe. Other ungulates include Tsesebe, Blue Wildebeest, Greater Kudu, Sable, Roan, and Impala. Spotted Hyena, Chacma Baboon, and Vervet Monkeys should also be spotted in Moremi. We'll take early morning game drives, which should bring us close to the semi-aquatic Red Lechwe grazing on the floodplains.

We will be in a great ecotone area between the contrasting habitats of the marshy backwaters of the Khwai River and the dry-land leadwood and camel thorn woodlands and savannahs. It is truly one of Botswana's birding meccas. Marula trees, a species of fig that produces the delicious liquor, and giant wild ebony trees shelter outstanding birdlife in the delta. The entire length of the river is hunting domain for the Bat-Hawk. Other interesting raptors here are Cuckoo Hawk (rare), Long-crested Eagle, and Black Sparrowhawk, and more commonly, Tawny Eagle, Martial Eagle, Bateleur, and African Hawk-Eagle. The waterways host Africa Rail, Greater Painted Snipe, Lesser Jacana and Lesser Moorhen. Away from the waterways, we will encounter new species of birds, such as a number of hornbills, bee-eaters, rollers, starlings, and others.
Camping: Khwai Community Area, near Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Our safari vehicles in Botswana

July 31, Wednesday Drive from Khwai to Savuti in Chobe National Park
The drive from Khwai to Savuti is about 100 km but will take most of the day as it is excellent game viewing almost the whole way and we will make many stops for photography and for a great picnic lunch. This fascinating day will include looking at some of the evidence of Paleo-Lake Makgadi-kgadi that dried up some 10,000 years ago. The most challenging part of the trip is crossing the Magwikwe Sandridge that formed the shoreline for this massive inland sea. The winding track through this deep sand makes for interesting travel. The old lakebed is now the Mababe Depression. The dense clay floor of the depression results in high protein feed for wildlife after the rains. During the rainy season the depression is impassable due to the "cotton soil" and alternative routes must be used. This is a day when anything could happen. The range of habitat that is covered encompasses most of the habitat types of northern Botswana. We pass through excellent Lion country and some of the best Cheetah country that our safari will cover. Elephant occur throughout the drive but are more common at the start and end of the drive where surface water can be found.

The Mababe Depression is a birder's paradise. The nutritious grasses that grow on the rich soils provide excellent seed for an impressive array of estrillids and viduids. Among these are the magnificently colored Violet-eared Waxbill, Black-cheeked Waxbill, Village Indigobird, Shaft-tailed Wydah, and Paradise Wydah. These in turn provide a good food source for small raptors such as the Little Sparrowhawk, Shikra, Gabar Goshawk, Red-necked Falcon, and Lanner Falcon. Rodents also feed on the grass seeds and there are annual outbreaks of rats and mice. As a result, huge numbers of Secretary Bird, Tawny Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, and Wahlberg's Eagle, can also be found. We will camp in Savuti for two nights.
Camping: Savuti area in Chobe National Park

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August 1, Thursday Savuti in the southern reaches of Chobe National Park
Unlike the vast majority of Botswana, the Savuti area is not a flat landscape. Large outcrops of volcanic rock reach up out of the Kalahari sands, towering over the endless savannah. These hills provide habitat for a completely different array of small wildlife and plants. The Savuti Marsh has been the stage for many of the most dramatic wildlife documentaries in Africa. The wide-open country, good ungulate populations, and particularly strong prides of Lion and Spotted Hyaena clans make for dramatic wildlife interaction. The now dry Savuti Channel runs through this landscape linking the dry sandveld, the waterholes, the hills, and the grassland that was the marsh. The interactions between Lion and elephant are a very interesting aspect of Savuti. A huge pride of Lions (around 25) has learned over the years how to hunt these massive pachyderms that are supposedly above predation. Launching their attack under darkness and using their numbers, they manage to kill adolescents and even young adults. The marsh is also prime Cheetah country.

The surface water that is pumped up by the government here provides a major attraction for birdlife. In the dry season, thousands of dove and sandgrouse come down to drink in the mornings and are under constant surveillance by Tawny Eagle and African Hawk-Eagle. Red-crested Korhaan are common in the Kalahari Apple-leaf Phylenoptera nelsii veld type that occurs here. The marsh is the home for good numbers of both Chestnut-backed and Grey-backed sparrowlarks, Northern Black Korhaan, Rufous-naped Lark, African Pipit, and Desert Cisticola. Dickenson's Kestrel and Red-necked Falcon are found along the perimeter of the marsh.
Camping: Savuti area in Chobe National Park

Elephants along the Chobe River

August 2, Friday Drive from Savuti to the Chobe River
This is a travel day of 170 km to our wonderful destination on the Chobe River, over five hours of driving through the stunted mopane scrub of the Goha clay basin, across the sand-ridge and through the wonderful Zambezi teak woodlands of the Chobe Forest Reserve, and along the Chobe River itself and the floodplain that is tens of kilometers wide. While there are community areas that we pass through that are settled by local tribes, most of the drive passes through wild country, where wildlife moves uninhibited by fences or man. Roan and Sable thrive in the teak woodlands. The low density of predators and lack of competition for food by other ungulates make this prime habitat for these large antelopes. Leopards here are highly secretive and seldom seen. The Goha region has natural waterholes that hold water well into the dry season and herds of Cape Buffalo, Burchell's Zebra, Greater Kudu, and African Elephant come down to drink.

The most unusual species of birds on this drive are to be found in the teak Baikea plurijuga woodlands. This broad-leafed woodland, or miombo, as it is locally known, provides good pickings for insectivorous birds that favor canopy habitat. Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Paradise Flycatcher, Pallid Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Yellow-throated Petronia, Red-headed Weaver, and Violet-backed Starling are only some of the species that move around the canopy in "bird parties." Dickenson's Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, and Lizard Buzzard are some of the raptors to keep an eye out for, while the diminutive White-faced Owl can often be seen roosting in the roadside vegetation. Flappet Lark, Fawn-coloured Lark, and Neddicky are some of the little brown birds that we might encounter around camp. Our camp staff will welcome us on our arrival at the Chobe campsite, where we'll have three nights.
Camping: Ngoma area in Chobe National Park

Puku

August 3 - 4, Saturday - Sunday Chobe National Park, north along the Chobe River
The wildlife along the Chobe River at the northern end of the park has extensive riverine forest to provide different wildlife habitats. The beautiful Chobe River gives the park its name and flows in an easterly direction to join the Zambezi en route to the Indian Ocean. Chobe is the heart of elephant country and everyday in this season by late afternoon there are huge herds in and around the Chobe River. Chobe has beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets, as well as many mammals and birds. African Buffalo are often in breeding herds here with young. All of the larger mammals are present here, as well as the Chobe race of the Bushbuck and the very rare Puku. This antelope, active around sunrise and sunset, has a very limited range and can be seen grazing on the floodplains. Sable and Greater Kudu are resident but well camouflaged in the mopane woodlands, a contrast to the open savannas of East Africa. There is also good possibility of seeing Lion and Leopard. The Chobe River is presided over by an impressive sand-ridge. Along this sand-ridge, broad-leafed woodland (miombo) is the dominant vegetation. As you move into the valley, the impact of the high elephant population is felt with the paucity of large trees that typically line the rivers of sub-tropical Africa. Instead there are the dense tangled masses of knobbly combretum, Combretum mosambicesne, and wooly caper bush, Caparis, that appear impervious to the constant onslaught of browsers. The river itself is broad and meandering. Much of Chobe's wildlife come to drink in the late morning and early afternoon when the heat excites their thirst. This is one of the best places to see Roan and Sable antelope. Breeding herds of elephant appear around every corner and the massive herds of buffalo are constantly flanked by the ever-hungry Lions. This region has one of the highest Lion densities of any national park or reserve in southern Africa.

Approximately 300 species of birds have been recorded, including Black, Coppery-tailed, Senegal and White-browed coucals and several kingfishers. The striking Crimson-breasted Shrike often gives itself away by its metallic call. Bat-Hawk, Cuckoo Hawk, and Ovambo Sparrowhawk are some of the more interesting raptors. African Rail, Luapula Cisticola, Quail Finch, and Rosy-throated Longclaw are found on the edges of the floodplain. Large flocks of Great White Pelican investigate the drying pools, and large flocks of the nomadic Red-winged and Black-winged pratincoles, numbering in the thousands, can be found on the drying floodplains. The woodlands support Racket-tailed Roller, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, and Miombo Rock-Thrush.
Camping: Ngoma area in Chobe National Park

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Part of Victoria Falls

August 5, Monday Chobe to Livingstone and Victoria Falls then to Mfuwe in Zambia
After our final bush breakfast with our mobile camp staff, drive to Kasane through some of the best parts of Chobe National Park. On a previous safari we encountered Wild Dogs (Painted Wolves) on this morning along the Chobe River. There is always the chance of spotting exciting birds, such as Racket-tailed Roller, Lizard Buzzard, and Cuckoo-Hawk in this area.

Grant will leave his vehicle in Botswana and we'll use a transfer service and bus to take us across the border into Zambia to our lodging. We will cross the Zambezi River that forms the border between Botswana and Zambia on the vehicular ferry and then pass through customs, paying our Zambia visa fee along the way. There can be a crowd at the border, so we have to bring our patience with us.

Our lodging tonight will be at the Zambezi Sun that is located on the edge of the eastern cataract of the Victoria Falls. The falls are within walking distance of our lodging, so you will be able to soak in the amazing gorges and falls at your own pace. One of the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World", the spectacular falls are the widest curtain of water in the world: over a mile wide with a drop of 110 meters. The forest bordering the falls is very interesting in itself. A more tropical rain forest hugs the falls maintained by the mist billowing from the falls. Several species of birds, including Trumpeter Hornbills, do well in more outlaying moist forests bordering the falls.
Lodging: Zambezi Sun

August 6, Tuesday Fly from Livingstone to Mfuwe in Zambia
This morning enjoy breakfast and another walk along the gorge of Victoria Falls, soaking in the spectacular scenery in the morning light. In late-morning, drive to the Livingstone Airport, arriving in time for a quick lunch before flying to Lusaka. It will be sad to bid Grant good-bye here after benefiting from his extensive knowledge and fantastic guiding over the past many days, but he must return to Botswana and the rest of us will fly to Mfuwe to continue our adventure.

After our flight, we will arrive at the small Mfuwe Airport near the Mfuwe sector of South Luangwa National Park by late afternoon to meet our exceptional Flatdogs guide, Edward Selfe. Drive to Flatdogs (meaning "Crocodiles") Camp and check into our permanent tented luxury camp with en-suite flush toilets, running hot water, beds and linens. Flatdogs Camp has a grand view of the Luangwa River, so we will enjoy a snack after while watching elephants along the river. A delicious dinner awaits you and a lovely evening.
Lodging: Flatdogs Camp

August 7 - 9, Wednesday - Friday South Luangwa National Park in the Mfuwe Sector
Each morning have a buffet breakfast before dawn to be at the gate with Edward by dawn for very exciting mornings. Then return for an early lunch and a snack later in the mid-afternoon to depart by 3:30 pm to enter the park, located very close to Flatdogs. Stay late in the park for wonderful night drives and return for a late dinner. South Luangwa is often called one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The only notable exception is the rhino, which was poached to extinction. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the lifeblood of the park's 9,050 square kilometers. There are 60 mammal species and over 400 bird species. The Thornicroft's Giraffe, although very rare now in the Mfuwe area, is unique to the Luangwa Valley. There are 14 antelope species, most of which are easily seen on game and night drives. The most numerous antelope is the Impala, a favorite prey species, and can be seen in herds all over the park. Puku, of similar size but a much fluffier antelope with a rich orange coat, is also prolific. Perhaps the most beautiful is the Greater Kudu with its majestic spiral horns and delicate face. Although fairly common, they are retiring and prefer dense bush. Reedbuck, Roan, Sable, Hartebeest, Grysbok, Klipspringer, and Oribi are also here, but not easily encountered.

Of the primates, Yellow Baboons and Vervet Monkeys are easily seen. More rare is Maloney's Monkey. Bushbabies are seen on nocturnal drives. Night drives are fascinating in the Luangwa, not only for the chance of seeing a Leopard, but also for the many interesting animals that only come to life at night. We have encountered Civets, Servals, Common Genet, Spotted Hyenas, as well as owls, nightjars, foraging Hippos, Honey Badgers (Ratels), a mated pair of Leopards (one stalking an Impala), African Lions, and even the tiny Elephant Shrew. Hyenas are fairly common throughout the valley and their plaintive, eerie cry, so characteristic of the African bush, can be heard on most nights. South Luangwa has a good population of Leopard, but they are not easily spotted and tend to retreat when they hear vehicles. Edward is very skilled at finding Leopards on night drives and is one of the best trackers in the park. Other carnivores present, but not often seen, include the Caracal, Wild Dog, Serval, and Side-striped Jackal.

African Fish Eagle

The Luangwa River also has an extraordinarily high number of Nile Crocodiles. It is not uncommon to see several basking on the riverbanks or even floating down the river tearing at a dead animal. Birds are superb in Luangwa Valley. Many large waterbirds can be seen wading through the shallows. The Yellow-billed Storks move along with their beaks open underwater, disturbing the muddy liquid with their feet until the fish flop into their mouths. The striking 1.6-meter Saddle-billed Stork makes quick darting movements into the water. The elegant Grey Crowned Cranes congregate in large flocks at the salt pans. Ground Hornbills emit the sound of a deep base drum early in the morning. The melodious Heuglin's Robin and cry of the African Fish Eagle are very distinctive against the ever present cooing of all the resident doves. Some magnificent trees grow in the Valley and add a lot of habitat for all the birds and small mammals and reptiles. Among the more common trees in the Valley are the Mopane, Leadwood, Winterthorn, some beautiful Baobabs, large Ebony forests, the tall Vegetable Ivory Palm, Marula, and the magnificent Tamarind tree. We will be sad to say farewell to this splendid national park in the Luangwa Valley and the wonderful people who work here.
Lodging: Flatdogs Camp

August 10, Saturday Fly from Mfuwe To Lusaka for overnight
After breakfast, around mid-morning, our group will fly from Mfuwe back to Lusaka for an overnight near the Lusaka Airport at Protea Arcades Hotel. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Lodging: Protea Arcades Hotel, Lusaka

August 11 - 12, Sunday - Monday Flights homeward
On the morning of August 11, we will transfer back to the Lusaka Airport for your own flights to Johannesburg and connecting flights homeward, arriving home on August 12, depending on flight schedules. Review our flight details.

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Costs

Costs, Payments and Cancellations: All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space. Upon receiving your deposit and reservation form, we will send trip materials with additional information to help you prepare for your safari. Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person. This fee may go toward another tour if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip's departure date. There are no refunds given after the Final Payment due date. If you are a single traveler and desire so, we will find a roommate for you: if we cannot find a roommate we may have to charge you the single supplement fee. We reserve the right to charge for cost increases that occur between when we set tour prices and the date of travel, for example, changes due to the cost of lodging and transportation and in the exchange rate. All costs are in US$.

Included:

• All lodging and camping from the nights of July 26 to August 10.
• Meals from lunch on July 26 through breakfast on August 10.
• Internal flights in Zambia from Livingstone to Mfuwe and from Mfuwe to Lusaka.
• All activities, leaders, transport, and accommodations as described in the detailed itinerary above.
• Park entry fees (subject to change, and will be increasing in 2013).
• Drinks while in our private mobile camps and drinking water while on game drives only.
• Airport transfers at times and dates specified in the detailed itinerary on August 10 and 11.

Not Included:

• All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. International airfare is approximately $2,600 from the USA West Coast and $2,300 from the East Coast to Maun, Botswana and from Lusaka, Zambia (quoted September 2010 and subject to change).
• Gratuities: Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest a total of $250 per participant to be distributed among all the resident guides and camp staff. Grant who does not take any of your gratuity will assist you at the end of the mobile camping part of the safari to distribute the tip to the camp staff and Jess Salmon, the excellent manager of Flatdogs Camp, will assist in the fair distribution of your gratuity for the South Luangwa part of the safari.
• Travel insurance.
• Airport transfers at times and methods other than described in the detailed itinerary above.
• Items of a personal nature (such as laundry), alcoholic beverages, and items not on the regular menu (if you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your reservation form).

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Sign-up

To Make a Reservation: Please contact us (there are many methods of contacting us) to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill out one form per person, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit. Or fill out our handy online information request and we will send you more information.

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Other Details

Grant Reed

Leaders: Grant Reed is the author of Okavango - Spirit of Life and narrator of From Dust to Dust - The Story of Lake Ngami. Apart from more than 20 years of guiding experience in five African countries and post-graduate work, Grant is currently working on his PhD. He also puts in a lot of time training wildlife guides for the Southern Africa Guide Association. Grant is co-owner of Letaka Safaris in Botswana. He lectures both in Botswana and abroad primarily on birds, ecology, and conservation in Botswana.

Edward Selfe

Edward Selfe guides for Flatdogs Camp in the Mfuwe sector of the South Luangwa National Park. He loves photographing and studying the mammals, birds, and other wildlife of the Luangwa Valley and is skilled at locating the exciting resident carnivores. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of wildlife behavior and has excellent identification skills, including Zambia's beautiful birds. Edward is widely traveled outside South Luangwa; he went to school in the UK, has a strong zoological background, and is a professional photographer and guide so understands how to position the vehicle for the best photo opportunities. He is also qualified to lead walking safaris to approach big game on foot. Visit his website to see lots of wildlife photos taken in Zambia, and a daily photographic blog from the Luangwa.

Flights: Please let us know if you need help arranging your own international air flights inbound to Maun and outbound from Lusaka. We are also happy to assist you with any extra overnights that you might want to arrange. We recommend the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, conveniently located near the airport.

Arrival: Arrive in Maun (MUB), Botswana around noon on July 26. For most, this means leaving your home airport on July 24 or 25 to connect in Johannesburg, South Africa. Air Botswana has a daily flight from Johannesburg (JNB) at 10:10 am, arriving in Maun (MUB) at 12:10 pm.

Departure: Depart from the Lusaka Airport (LUN), Zambia on the morning on August 11. South African Airways has a morning flight from Lusaka (LUN) to Johannesburg (JNB) to meet connections.

Domestic: The flights during the safari from Livingstone to Mfuwe and from Mfuwe to Lusaka are included in the cost of the trip and will be booked by Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.

Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

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Climate: Temperatures vary at this season from cold to very comfortable. It will be very cool in the early morning and in the evening, so bring warm clothes, including warm hat and gloves for early morning game drives. It's the "dry" season, but rain could be encountered, although very unlikely. Insects are not normally a problem at this season.

Our Campsite in Botswana

Mobile Camping in Botswana: This deluxe mobile camping has large tents with private toilets. The food is excellent with three-course dinners prepared by a professional safari chef. We'll be camping in HATAB (Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana) sites. There are no fixed buildings or facilities at these sites and the entire camp is erected and removed by our supply team. Everything is brought in and packed out, leaving no trace that we were ever there (once the wind has dusted our tracks). The tents are 9x15 feet (3x5 meter) with a high roof and a nine-foot covered area in front of the tent. Camp beds are made up with mattresses, sheets, duvets, and pillows. The rear door of the tent opens to a private toilet, and there is a tall washbasin and a mirror outside each tent. The basin is filled with fresh warm water first thing in the morning and again on every arrival in camp. Showers are separate from the tents and are in the form of bucket showers hung from a tree with a canvas screen around the shower. Hot showers can be requested and the water is heated in a bucket on the fire. Although each tent has a lantern, it is still good to bring a good flashlight or a headlamp, with plenty of spare batteries to use inside the tent. There is also a dining tent, but with the normally excellent weather and skies, the table is often set beneath the stars.

Trip Materials: Detailed information about your specific tour will be sent to you after you make your reservation with us. These trip materials include information about flights, packing, entry and departure requirements, airport transfers, gratuities, packing, etc. Please take a moment to read this important informtation upon receipt.

Conditions: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours. We try to spend as much time in the field as possible, sometimes resulting in long days but giving you a more in-depth experience. Travel to remote places is exciting, but understanding and accepting the risks, both medical and logistical, are important. Minor medical problems can usually be treated, but due to the fact that we often travel to locations far from medical facilities, there can be no expectation for immediate medical treatment or evacuation, even in cases of trauma. Anyone with health problems needing close medical supervision should not consider going on this trip. Bring enough medication for the duration of the trip for any chronic medical needs, since pharmacies are usually not available. When you send your tour deposit and signed reservation form, you certify to us that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions that would create a risk for yourself or for other trip participants. For all tours that are ship-based, please note that although we cannot guarantee a request for a specific cabin, we do guarantee that you will be in a cabin of equal or greater value specified in your reservation.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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